Trainer Nick Zito, who won the 2004 Belmont Stakes (G1) with Birdstone, spoiling the Triple Crown bid of Smarty Jones, will try for another upset with Anak Nakal as well as Da' Tara.
"Anak Nakal and Birdstone are a lot alike," Zito said. "Both had good two-year-old years: Birdstone won the Champagne and Anak Nakal won the Kentucky Jockey Cup. They both ran well in the Wood Memorial. And then they had good races in the Kentucky Derby. By good races, I mean that Birdstone finished eighth, not 18th. Anak Nakal finished seventh, not 17th. So, the Belmont is a race in which they can improve, and Anak Nakal is bred to go the distance, so why not?"
June 2 - Four furlongs breezing in :49.67 at Saratoga Race Course, dirt training track fast. Eighth best of 14 workouts at the distance.
May 26 - Four furlongs handily in :48.68 at Saratoga Race Course, track fast. Best of 14 workouts at the distance.
May 18 - Four furlongs breezing in :49.89 at Saratoga Race Course, dirt training track fast. Sixth best of 21 workouts at the distance.